The Winners - Team Tom - Tom, Harry, Harrison and Tuwaine.
Yesterday, Jigaw Wars took place. You might have seen it on our various channels and now I have to relive this literally painful experience by writing this blog post.
Some numbers for you…
1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
Two teams of 4 (although more on this later.)
6,800 registered their support for Team Tom – (the eventual winning team?)
4,100 registered their support for Team Dom (thank you but also, my apologies)
15.00 GMT start time
21.00 GMT – a winner is declared. The carping begins and so does the inquisition.
Team Dom have lost and only have sore feet and aching backs and shoulders for their efforts.
The next morning – we pick a winner from Team Tom – a number chosen at random by Sam – and so our congratulations to Heather Klaver
The winning puzzle will be signed by all the players and sent to our lucky winner.
Thank you to everyone who took part and cheered us on (virtually). This is the first initiative we have done without a fund-raising element, although people did donate £980 which is very kind, thank you.
More Fun-Raising than Fund-Raising then.
As you will know, The Brothers Trust has a very deliberate mission – to shine a light on charities that struggle to be heard and to support people much less fortunate than ourselves – but an outcome we had not anticipated is the sense of community and belonging that The Brothers Trust has created for our supporters. This is valuable in itself and why for Jig Saw Wars, it seemed sensible to make is just FUN and not FUND.
A worthy event then and it seems to have been a great success.
Now, if it is not too indulgent, a quick explanation as to why Team Dom actually lost…
Less players…
Tom had four players (he says) but I have my suspicions that he didn’t have more. My evidence for this is not concrete. As scant as just knowing Tom and Harry - but for me, this is enough.
And irrefutably, we had less players anyway because we had Paddy in Team Dom. At 15 - the allure of the play station proved a fatal distraction. Never truly committed to the cause, wafting in and out when the moment suited him. Should we ever repeat Jigsaw Wars - I have warned him that I might not pick him again, to which he smiled broadly.
Smaller house…
Team Dom have a smaller house and we don’t have a table suitable as a playing field. Forced then to use the kitchen top – giving us access to only three sides (not four) – plus we had to play on our feet and constantly lean in to unfamiliar positions. It was fortunate that we didn’t stream live because our bodies groaned almost as loudly as the expletives that filled the air.
Insufficient light…
Starting at 3pm – daylight soon became insufficient and with a few light bulbs out in our kitchen (and older eyes), we had to operate in almost semi-darkness.
Sustenance breaks…
We had to cook dinner – because we don’t do Deliveroo like Team Tom.
Social responsibility…
As you know, we have a dog called Tessa. She is used to regular bouts of attention (and feeding). Chickens are much more independent animals.
And finally…
I am not saying I threw this competition. That would be a scandal and particularly upsetting for Team Dom supporters…
But, deep down I do accept that Team Tom prevailing was the most appropriate outcome.
The Brothers Trust is founded on Tom’s career and his position in life and all of our followers and supporters will be familiar with the book/blog, Eclipsed.
Anyone who has read it, will know that I am very comfortable with being outperformed career-wise by Tom and no doubt, my other boys also in due course even though I continue to strive against this trend.
Just as I did yesterday.
Because I desperately wanted to win – and I gave it everything.
So well done Team Tom – hearty congratulations to the team with more players, better playing conditions and circumstances.